With over 40% of websites created with WordPress, there’s no reason not to start your online journey the right way. Websites with WordPress have been known to have a simpler starting point due to the ease of use when building a site.
WordPress offers users free and paid themes, as well as plugins to elevate the user experience and features. But before beginning, it is important to start with how to install Wordpress.
In order to begin, one needs to find a good hosting provider. Why do you need a hosting provider? Well, how else would you purchase a domain name? Some hosting providers offer domain names, email hosting, and SSL certificates with every hosting plan.
With a domain name purchased and 48 hours of patience, you can begin installing your WordPress site:
Step 1
Download the WordPress files to your computer and unzip the files. If you choose a hosting provider, they’re more likely to simplify the process by downloading it for you.
However, if you’re hoping to do it yourself, then be sure to store your folder in an easy to find location.
Step 2
A hosting provider offers a MySQL Database, but if you choose to host the website yourself, then create a MySQL Database and use WordPress.
Step 3
Upload your WordPress files within the WordPress folder using SFTP, and by using an SFTP client, you can navigate to your website’s directory and select the HTML subdirectory.
Begin by uploading the contents of the WordPress folder to their directory, and you will be able to see your folder tree.
Step 4
Open your browser and visit the address by including your domain name, which would result in installing WordPress.
For example: http://yourdomainname/com/wp-admin/install.php
The installation prompt will ask you to enter your site title, login credentials, and your email address. After which, you will be prompted to enter your database credentials.
Once all credentials are added, you will be prompted to click ‘Install’ WordPress to complete your installation process.
How to Choose a Hosting Provider
Choosing a hosting provider can simplify the process of establishing a website. A hosting provider is necessary to offer you a safe and secure platform as well as a fast system capable of handling traffic.
A hosting provider should offer you the following:
Various Hosting Servers: Shared Hosting, VPS Hosting, Dedicated Hosting, Managed WordPress Hosting, and Specialized Hosting.
Uptime and Reliability: It’s necessary that your chosen hosting provider has 99.9% uptime guarantee to ensure that your website is available to your audience.
Performance and Speed: Evaluate the provider’s content delivery network (CDN) options. It’s important that the page speed of your website be efficient in order to maintain your customer base and avoid an increase in bounce rates.
Scalability: Ensure that your hosting provider offers easy upgrades or the ability to add more resources.
Security: Hosting providers often offer SSL certificates, firewalls, and DDoS protection.
Support and Customer Service: Test your provider's customer support responsiveness through inquiries. Often times, hosting providers state that they offer 24/7 customer support through various methods (live chat, email, or phone).
Price and Value: Comparing pricing plans across different providers gives you the chance to view transparent plans and what they offer.
Control Panel and User Interface: Ensure the hosting provider offers a user-friendly control panel (cPanel, Plesk) for easy management.
Migration: Choosing a hosting provider that offers migration allows for an easy migration plan if you choose to go with another hosting provider.
Transparency: Choosing a hosting provider that allows for transparency. Often times, hosting providers hide other costs, which they present after a customer chooses a cheap plan.
Support and Maintenance
Choosing a hosting provider that offers support and maintenance services simplifies the process of establishing your website.
Better yet, WordPress support and maintenance services ensure that your website is always backed up and secure.
Support and maintenance service providers prevent your business from possible revenue loss.
Approximately 94% of companies never recover after a severe data loss, and 70% of small businesses tend to close a year after a large data loss.
If your hosting provider does not offer optimum support and maintenance to your WordPress site, one option could be to migrate your website using a different hosting provider; however, if you’re simply choosing to reach out to support and maintenance service providers, here’s what you need to keep in mind:
Backup and Restoring
Backing up and restoring a website is essential. Whether it be to prevent possible hacking or malware breaches, backing up allows for the chance for security. Restoring a website is essential, whether it is related to upgrading a theme or a plugin or prevention of security breaches.
Security
89% of organizations do not protect their data efficiently, and 76% of these organizations report at least one ransomware event in the past 12 months. Security is a necessary aspect when it comes to a business’ data.
SSL certificates and firewalls are essential for securing a website.
Monitoring Performance
Support and maintenance service providers take care of installation, updates, security audits, and performance optimization to ensure that your website is quick and easy to load since customers and viewers are more likely to abandon a site if it takes more than 3 seconds to load.
Support and Maintenance Service Providers
As your support and maintenance service providers, we leave you to focus on your business while we take care of your website’s technical challenges.
In order to start out right, we offer comprehensive SEO reports that assess your website’s health, resulting in a detailed report highlighting any technical issues that need to be taken care of.
As your reliable technical team, we offer cost-effective solutions tailored to your specific business needs. We ensure that your website remains fully functional and optimized without straining your finances.